Coal workers rally in D.C. to protest EPA climate rules

COAL: Thousands of coal industry workers rally in Washington D.C. to protest EPA rules, as Republicans say the ​“war on coal” narrative will figure prominently in the 2014 elections. (National Journal, The Hill)

ALSO: A study backed by environmental groups finds an Illinois coal plant is exceeding allowed levels for sulfur dioxide. (Peoria Journal Star)

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POLICY: A report finds renewable energy growth in the Midwest is slowing, largely due to unpredictability in federal wind and biofuel policy. (Midwest Energy News)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN: An oil industry group, miffed that a Department of Energy blog’s pumpkin-carving stencils focused on renewable and nuclear power, releases its own set of oil-themed designs. (The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL: A Houston firm’s suggestion to build a bike trail atop the Keystone XL pipeline doesn’t go over well with activists: ​“This seems like it should be in The Onion or something,” says one. (Bloomberg)

BAKKEN: A recently completed pipeline in North Dakota is expected to reduce natural gas flaring in the state’s oil fields. (Dickinson Press)

OHIO: American Electric Power’s refund for ​“excessive earnings” in 2010 will amount to roughly 43 cents per ratepayer. (Columbus Dispatch)

SOLAR: In Colorado, tensions rise between Xcel Energy and solar advocates over net metering rates. (Denver Post)

NUCLEAR: A Nebraska nuclear plant that has been shut down since 2011 is being tested for leaks, a sign the facility is on track to reopen soon. (Associated Press)

EFFICIENCY: A search for Wisconsin’s oldest working refrigerator ends in a three-way tie. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

DIVERSITY: An expert says more women are filling leadership positions at energy companies. (Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION: A new report ranks the U.S. cities where the fewest commuters drive cars to work. (Atlantic Cities)

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MEDIA: Ohio coal executive Robert Murray is suing the Huffington Post, alleging an article referring to him as an ​“extremist coal baron” contained false and defamatory statements; and activists in Minnesota launch a petition calling on the state’s largest newspaper to stop publishing letters from climate deniers. (Columbus Business First, ScienceBlogs)

COMMENTARY: Ken Silverstein says our inaction on nuclear waste is based more on politics than science. (EnergyBiz)